The small-world illusion: Overestimating the frequency of in-person interactions with acquaintances

• Published in: Organizational behavior and human decision processes Vol. 186; p. 104387
• Main Author: Klein, Nadav
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01.01.2025
• Subjects: Acquaintances; Availability bias; Help; Social networks; Weak ties; Social networks; Help; Availability bias; Acquaintances; Weak ties
• ISSN: 0749-5978
• DOI: 10.1016/j.obhdp.2024.104387

People generate substantial informational benefits from their social networks, and acquaintanceships—“weak ties”—are an important component of these benefits. However, acquaintances typically do not have deep knowledge of one another’s schedules and do not plan their interactions ahead of time. The...